In the spotlight: Lievremont let rip at his players to journalists

‘We’re not world champions, we’re in the final, that’s all,’ he added. ‘I experienced this in 1999. Does it surprise you? I’m surprised it surprises you.

‘Because in ’99 we spent four days celebrating our semi-final win. We didn’t prepare properly and I don’t want us to relive the same thing.’

Lievremont created serious ructions in the camp when he openly criticised his players, particularly picking on Dimitri Yachvili, after France’s lazy opening victory against Japan.

He was also ignored when he tried to organise a team-bonding session with a few beers in the changing room after the surprise defeat by Tonga. His players turned their backs on him then, too, and went out instead with agents, according to Lievremont.

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